Somewhere along the way, “fun” got a bad reputation in the workplace. It became something you squeezed in on Fridays or reserved for the company picnic. But the truth is, fun is serious business. In 2025, companies that intentionally build joy and connection into their culture are outperforming those that don’t, and the data backs it up.

Employee disengagement isn’t just an HR issue — it’s a business problem with a billion-dollar price tag. Gallup reports that low engagement costs U.S. companies $1.9 trillion annually in lost productivity. In hybrid workplaces, where connection can quietly erode, the financial impact grows even faster. The good news: consistent, in-person experiences can turn that cost into culture. When teams connect regularly and meaningfully, morale rises, innovation returns, and retention

Discover fun Halloween week ideas that bring families, friends, and communities together—from pumpkin nights to Boise’s local fall traditions.